Since the unfortunate tragedy that costs many lives in Batangkali, many natural parks were closed for a few months in Malaysia, realizing the danger of this bad season of weather. That includes Gunung Ledang Resort, the main entrance to Gunung Ledang Waterfall that is open to public without needing any permit. Recently, Johor Forestry Department has taken this chance to change the management of Gunung Ledang Waterfall and made some renovations. I see this as a good progress in ecotourism. I can't wait to be back up at Kolam Puteri. So here's a repost to commemorate the first time I went up there back in 2019.

Kolam Puteri Gunung Ledang

Legend says that Kolam Puteri was where Puteri Gunung Ledang, the princess who rejected Sultan Mahmud’s proposal, used to take her bath. In the movie of her namesake, it is where she (Tiara Jacquelina) and Hang Tuah (M Nasir) meet (read: date). During the climb, I was more intrigued and fascinated by how the film crews brought up their filming equipment, though.

My mother was born in Muar. Sagil, the nearest town to Gunung Ledang (or Mount Ophir), is where my grandparents used to live. I refer to it as my ‘kampung’. Even though I go to Gunung Ledang waterfall for too many times before, it is only recently I climbed until the top of Kolam Puteri, 900 feet or slightly more than 300m from the base. I climbed there once in August this year and recently, on the 25th.

We departed from JB around 5 am, stopped at RnR Machap for prayer and reached Bukit Gambir toll gate at 7.30 am. We had breakfast at Restoren Al-insyirah Barakah and reached Gunung Ledang Resort gate (Gate A) by 8.15 am. Taman Hutan Lagenda, formerly known as Gate B, is now exclusive for Johor Forestry Department. You go through that gate mainly for hiking to mountain top. I read that there are a few other activities available, but I haven’t explored much.

We got the full view of the mountain because the oil palm plantation was undergoing replanting. Lucky us!

Breakfast at Restoren Al-Insyirah Barakah, Bukit Gambir.

One wefie before breaking sweats.

Pool area near the entrance.

This sign is everywhere near the trail. Never worry of getting lost.

You will see cabins on your left, across the water. I read that you can stay there for RM10 per night. The facilities are basic, with shared bathrooms outside.

There are a lot of shelter like this, so it is family-friendly.

The trail will start to deviate away from water after around 50m.

The steep climb will only start after 100m.

This iconic gigantic rock can be found at around 200m mark.

Kolam Puteri is just right up this fall behind me.

After you’ve reached the lower tier of Kolam Puteri, you need to cross the water via a bridge to reach the higher tiers.

It gets higher and higher from the first photo until the last one.

You can only get this view if you're sitting at the top where it is legal to hike up to...

...which is here, right next to the signboard "No Trespassing".

The journey down below is also quite a view.

View from the bridge atop the waterfall.

I can hear the sound of silver leaf monkey (lotong) accompanying you throughout the trail.

Remember to NOT feed the wild life. There are also many beautiful floras which I don't even know their names.

What I like most about waterfalls is the presence of butterflies and dragonflies. But my phone camera is not equipped for such tiny beauty. I did say hello to all I saw, though. Haha.

We went to a site away from the hiking trail further down below and enjoy simple games. Losers got splashed. Ah well… that’s me.

3 Important Notes on Hiking to Kolam Puteri Gunung Ledang

1. I purposely chose to go on Friday.

For some Johoreans, Friday is off day. So people start picnicking on Friday. If you come on Saturday or Sunday morning, the city council would only start to collect rubbish left by visitors the day before. So you can imagine the mess and the smell. We have a long way to go in educating our people in keeping shared spaces clean.

Personally, I’d prefer to eat before and after going here. It’s not that far, anyway. But I do understand families like to enjoy meals during picnic. Better bring all trashes back with you.

The boys, then, went for Friday prayer at Kampung Sagil mosque. The girls stayed at my aunt’s house.

2. Bathrooms

I used the bathrooms near the shop lots outside of the resort gate, because I didn’t want to carry a bag to the top. I just brought my phone and money for entrance fee with me.

3. Fee

For many, many years since before I was born the entrance fee was RM1 for adults, half price for tiny humans and RM2 for every car. After SST, it changed to RM1.05 for adults and 50 cents for children. Cars are charged RM2.10 each. The bathroom entry remains 50 cents. Until recently, after the change of management, I heard from villagers that they have increased the price, but I don't know the details. Will update soon.